Electrodepositing apparatus



Nov. 26, 1929. w. w. M coRD nmcwnovmrosmue APPARATUS Filed July 6, 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Guam Nov. 26, 1929. I w. w. Mc'CORD 1,736,857

ELECTRODEPOSITING APPARATUS Filed July 6,- 1 926 7' Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 26, 1929. w. w. McCORD 1,736,857

ELEGTRODEPOSITING APPARATUS Filed July 6, 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. 26, 1929. w. w. McCORD ELECTRODEPOSITING APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet Filed July 6. 1926 Y A IIIII I/lfl/ I p I 1 m w. w. M CORD 1,736,857

ELECTRODEPOSITING APPARATUS Filed Ju1y 6. 1926 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Nov. 26, 1929,

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Nov. 26, 1929. w w. MOCORD 1,736,857

ELECTRODEPOS ITING APPARATUS Filed July 6. 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 gwuentoc Patented Nov. 26, l929 UNITED STATES BATENT OFFICE WILLIAM W. MCCORD, OF WYANDOTTE, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO MCOORD BAIDIATOR &

. MFG. 60., OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MAINE ELECTRODEPOSITIN G ATPARATUS Application filed 11115713, 1926. Serial No. 120,706.

This invention relates to electrodepositing apparatus.

One object of my invention is to provide the cathode inband form so that metal may be deposited on and stripped from both sides of the cathode to increase the production of the apparatus.

'A further object of my invention is to make the cathode in endless band form and have it so disposed with respect to the electrolyte that there are portions in and out of the same, with the portion in the electrolyte comprising more than fifty per cent of the depositing surface of the cathode, so that metal of the desired thickness may be deposited on the cathode in less than a complete revolution thereof, thereby enabling the deposited metal to be continuously stripped from the portion of the cathode outside of the electrolyte during the rotation of the cathode therethrough.

Another object of my invention is to provide a trough to contain the electrolyte and have the cathode extend edgewise downward into the same, with the trough following the shape or contour of the cathode but having its ends spaced apart so as to expose the portion of the cathode movable through the trough for stripping the deposited metal from the cathode.

A further object of my invention is to provide means whereby the deposited metal may be continuously and simultaneously stripped at this gap in, the trough from the opposite sides of the cathode.

A further object of my invention is to have the circumferential length of the cathde suchand have its rotation through the trough so timedthat at any given amperage the deposit of metal on any'portion of the cathode will be built up to the thickness desired in a space of time taken by that portion of the cathode to traverse the distance of submersion. in the electrolyte, thereby allowing for continuous stripping of deposited metal from the cathode.

A further object of my invention is to provide the trough with two sets of outlets, one set adjacent the top of the trough and the other set at the bottom of the same so that relatively short paths are provided for the circulation of electrolyte through the trough thereby allowing for rapid circulation to avoid any possibility of having stagnant portions of electrolyte in the trough to interfere with or hinder the proper deposit of.metal of the electrolyte and to space such plates inward from the adjacent wall of the trough to provide chambers or compartments to receive the anode material, which may take the form'of scrap metal and thus reduce the cost of production of the deposited metal.

A further object of my invention is to have these anode plates spaced equal distances from all points of the cathode so as to allow for even deposition of metal on the same.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an apparatus or unit which is simple in construction and operation.

The invention consists further in the matters hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings-'- Fig. 1 is a top plan view of an electrodepositing apparatus or unit constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the indirect line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section through the trough and cathode structure at one side of the same as on line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is anenlarged vertical sectional view with parts in perspective to illustrate certain details of construction;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 55 of Fig. 6 to show the portion of the apparatus at the gap and illustrating the manner in which the .deposited metal is continuously and simultaneously stripped from both sides of the cathode;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken" on line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a perspective View of the flexible bafile and end assembly at one end -of the trough, the. upper portion of the cathode band being cut away to .show the structure behind the same;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic top lan view of .one of the depositing units to s ow that the trough does not extend clear around the cathode but extends more than half the circumference of the same; and

Fig. 9 is dia ammatic view illustrating how several units are connected for circulation of the electrolyte therethrough.

The apparatus or unit, as shown in the drawings, comprises an endless cathode 1 in band form and a trough 2 containing an electrolyte for the cathode, the latter extending edgewise downward into the electrolyte, as illustrated in Figs. 2, 3, and 4. The cathode 1 may be annular or circular in form and be disposed to rotate about a vertical axis. The trough 2 follows the shape of contour of the cathode 1 with the latter terminating short of the bottom wall of the trough, as

shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The trough 2 does not extend continuously about the cathode,

but has its ends spaced apart to provide a gap 3, as shown in Figs. 5- and' 8, where the portion of the cathode movable-through the" trough is exposed to permit continuous stripping of the'deposited metal from the oath ode outside of the electrolyte as the cathode is revolved.

Perforated anode plates 4, 4 are arranged in the trough 2 on opposite sides of the oathode 1, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. These plates 4 are spaced inward from the u right side walls of the trough so that ano e materlal, preferably scrap metal (copper scrap when copper is to be the deposited metal), may be introduced into. the compartments provided in the trough behind the plates 4, as shown in Fig. 3. As illustrated in this figure, the cathode 1 extends into the space between the plates 4, thus permitting metal to be deposited from the electrolyteon both s des of the cathode to increase the product1v1t of the device. As shown in Fig. 8, the arm e plates 4, 4 extend the full length of the trough and are spaced equidistant at all points from the portion of the cathode between them so as to secure a substantially even deposition of metal on both sides of the cathod The main support of the apparatus includes a number of uprights 5, 6 spaced apart about the trough 2 on opposite sides thereof, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3. These uprights extend above the trough 2 and the inner set 6 support a ring 7 inside of thecathode 1 and extendingeentirely about the same. -An

annular mem r or ring 8 is arranged above the ring 7 with antifriction bearing balls 9 between them so that the upper ring may easily rotate on the lower ring. The cathode 1 is suspended from the member 8 and the latter is rotated by any suitable power driven means. In the apparatus shown in the drawings, I provide the member 8 with a plurality of teeth 10 for meshlwith'a drivin'g pinion 11, as shown in Figs. 1 and 6.

portions 15 to which the cathode 1 is directly secured, as shown in Fig. 3. A conductor ring 16 is carried by the brackets 14 outside of the cathode 1. Said ring 16 dips into liquid mercury contained in an annular chan nel 17 carried at the upper ends of the outer standards or uprights 5 outside of the cathode 1.' The metal member in which the channel is formed is connected by leads. 18 to a bus-bar 19 extending about the apparatus'on the outside thereof and supported by the outer set of uprights 5, as shownin said Fig. 3. \Vith the ring 16 dipping into the mercury, a frictionless electrical connectlon is made for the rotating cathode 1." The busbar 19 is connected with the negative pole of the generator (not shown), while the busbars.20,2O on the opposite sides of the trough are connected with the positive pole of the generator. Flexible leads 21, 21 carry current from the bars 20 to the metal scrap 22 serving as the anode material in the trough 2. These leads have conductor rods 21, 21" which are inserted into the scrap for contact therewith. v

For circulating the electrolyte through the trough 2, I provide the latter with a plurality of out-lets 23, 24, arranged in sets with the outset at the bottom of the trough, as shown in 1 Figs. 2'and 3. Said outlets are connected to a common return pipe 24 located below the trough 2 and following the shape thereof. Said pipe 2 is supported between the uprights 5, 6 by stools 24*, as shown in Fig. 2. A main supply conduit 25 is located above the trough 2 and extends about the same on the inside of the cathode 1, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3. This conduit is supported by the inner uprights 6. Said conduit 25 is provided with a plurality of spouts 26 extending down to the trough 2 for discharging the electrolyte into the same. These spouts constitute the inlets of the trough and are spaced about the conduit 25 so as to discharge the electrolyte into the trough at a plurality of points in its length. As shown in Fig. 3, the spouts discharge into the trough 2 into one of the compartments for the anode material so as to constantlvdeliver fresh or revived electrolyte thereto. The. spouts terminate relatively high above the normal level a of the electrolyte in the trough. so that no opportunity is afl'orded for the level to rise above the discharge ends of the spouts and hinder or stop trough in relatively short paths. This will avoid any possibility of having any stagnant electrolyte in the trough to interfere with the eiiicient depositing of metal on the cathode 1.

The trough 2 does not extend clear around the cathode 1, but is longer than half the circumferential length thereof. as shown in Fig.

8. With the cathode rotatable, the speed of rotation of the cathode may be so timed that at any given amperage the deposit of metal on any portion of the cathode will be built up to the thickness desired by the time taken by that portion of the cathode to traverse the. length of the trough. Thus metal of the desired thickness may be deposited on the cathode 1 in less than one complete revolution of the same. thereby making the deposited metal ready for stripping when it reaches the gap 3 between the ends of the trough. Due to this fact. the deposited metal may be continuously stripped from the portion of the cathode in the gap 3) while metal is being deposited on the other portion of the cathode in the trough. With both sides of the cathode accessible at the gap 3, the deposited metal may be simultaneously stripped same, ,while the battle means at the exit end from both sides of the cathode during the rotation thereof.

This I have shown in Fig. 5. As there illustrated, the deposited metal is stripped from both sides of the cathode in the form of continuous webs 27 27 and wound up in reels 28. 28 on the opposite sides of thercathode. For this purpose, two upright spindles 29, 29

are arrafiged on opposite sides of the trough 2 at the end of the same from which the cathode leaves the trough. These spindles are power driven from the main drive shaft 13 in any desired way, meshing bevel gears 30, 31 being shown by way 'of example for each spindle in Fig. 6. I may employ suitable friction connection (not shown) in the drive to the spindles to allow for the change in diameter as the reels increase in size. To disconnect the cathodel from the power driven means whenever desired, I provide a suitable handoperated clutch 32 in the driving connections, as shown in Fig. 6.

To prevent undue leakage of the electrolyte from the trough 2 at the ends thereof where the cathode 1 enters and leaves the trough. respectively, I pro 'zle a 'suitable form of baflie means. trated generally in Fig. 5 and more in detail in Fig. 7. As shown, the baffle means at the entrance end of the trough extends into the of the trough extends out of the same. The

The st. ucture is illus-- bafiles have wiping contact with the cathode, and the structure is substantiallythe same as the opposite endsof the trough. At each end of the trough I provide a plurality of flexible strips 33, 34 hearing against the cathode 1 on opposite sides. thereof and extending upward from the bottom of the cathode to above the level of the electrolyte in the trough; (See Fig. 7 The strips at each end of the trough arearranged in inner and outer sets, with the strips 33, 33 composing the outer set and the strips-34, 34 the inner sets. These strips are preferably of rubber, and are suitably held at the framework forming the ends of the trough. The outer strips 33 at the exit end of the trough are pressed with considerable pressure against the opposite sides of the cathode, and for this purpose I employ spring means, which as shown in Fig. 7 comprises metal members 35 hearing against the outside of the strips 33 and extending substantially the full lengthv thereof. These members 35 have a plurality of outwardly projecting rods 36 supported by an upright bar 37 attached to the adjacento'uter upright 5 or 6 of the main frame of the apparatus by flat springs 37*. These springs force. the associated members 35 against the bafiles 33 through coiled springs 38 on the rods, as shown in Fig. 5.

A gutter 39 is arranged below the lower edge ofl the cathode 1 between the ends of the trough 2 to catch any electrolyte which leaks past the baflles 33, 34. This gutter has outlets 40, 40 in its bottom wall, with the outlets connected with certain circulating pipes or conduits of the system.

The receptacles for the anode material 22 are closed at the ends of thetrough 2 by end walls 41, 41, as shown in Fig. 7. These walls extend between the side walls of the trough and the anodeplates 4, 4. The walls 41, 41 are held in place by a suitable structure 42, 42. This also fixes the flexible baffles 33, 34 to the end walls 41, and clamps the inner bafiles against the adjacent edges of the plates 4 to make leak proof joints for the ends of the anode compartments.-

The'cathode band 1, as shown in Fig. 3,

terminates short of the bottom wall of the trough 2. An insulating strip or piece 43 is fixed to the lower edge of the cathode to prevent metal from being deposited about its lower edge to hinder stripping from the cathode. The portion of the cathode at the level of the electrolyte in the trough may be coated with bands 44 of insulating paint applied to the cathode where it is exposed at same level; Tank 45 delivers electrolyte to made as heretofore described and shown. Withthree units I use three storage tanks 45, 46, and47 which are disposed to be on the unit A through a pipe. or conduit 48, in which is a motor operatedforce pump 49 which withdraws electrolyte from said tank. Pipe 48 leads to the main inlet pipe of unit A,

as shown.

Tank 46- delivers electrolyte to unit B through a pipe or conduit 50 which leads to the inlet pipe 25 of unit B- Tank 47 delivers electrolyteto C through a pipe or conduit 51 which is connected with the inlet pipe 25 of that unit. ';In eachv of pipes 50 and 51 there is a motor operated pump 49 for withdrawing electrolyte from the respective tanks and forcing it, through these pipes.

The return flow from the several units is back to the tanks; These are connected for communication with each: other-by conduits 52, 53. These connections are so arranged that one tank siphons to the next,- thus avoiding the use of force or'otber pumps in the connections. With the pumps withdrawing electrolyte from the respective tanks, the levels in the tanks vary. This makes the head.

of the liquid in one tank higher than in an The outlets 40, '40 of the gutters 39 of the several units drain back to a single tank, as

45, as shown in Fig. 9. To accomplish this,

each unit A, B, G hasa drain pipe 57, all of which connect with a single pipe 58leading back to tank 45. As shown in Fig.9, the gutter 39 of each unit has a number ofoutlets 40, olie set being directly connected with the drain pipe 57-of'the unit.

p The other outlets 40 are connected with their drain pipe 57 by branches 59, 59, as shown. Forthe sake of deafness of illustration in Fig. 9, I have not shown the spouts 26 with which the inlet pipes 25 are provided. It is to be of course understoodthat these pipes are provided with these spouts in order to discharge the electrolyte into the troughs 2 of the se v eral units A; B, G.

By the arrangement shown and described, there is a continuous and uninterrupted flow or circulation of electrolyte through all of the units. By reason of the pumps 49, which are power driven, and the plurality of outlets 23, 24 in each unit, the circulation of the electrolyte through the several units is rela tively rapid, sothat no opportunity is afforded for quiet or stagnant spots along the cathode to hinder the deposition of metal on the cathode. Moreover, the cathode of each unit is spaced a substantially. ual distance from its anode plates 4, 4 throug out the full length of the latter so as to effect a substantially equal deposit of metal on both sides of the cathodein its travel through the electrolyte.

At leastone of the units of the system is I not supplied with anode material so that the excess metal content produced in the el ctrolyte by the other units will deposited out in the first mentioned unit tokeep-the metal content of the'electrolyte substanially constant. This feature is disclosed and claimed in my prior Patent, No. 1,543,861, granted June 30, 1925.

To facilitate continuous stripping of the deposited metalfrom both sides of'the cathode 1 during the rotation thereof, I make the cathodeof a metal or material, such as lead,

aluminum or bronze, to which the deposited metal will not adhere in such manner as to hinder easy release therefrom. I have found that lead possesses this characteristic, thus making it unnecessary to coat the cathode with grease or other substance to facilitate .easy stripping of the deposited metal. The

anode plates 4, 4 may also be of lead, and when so made the lower edges of said plates are secured to the metal bottom wall of the trough 2 by fusing or burning. The upper edges of the plates 4 are flanged or turned over supporting rods 60, as shown in Fig. 7. I have found in building the apparatus as disclosed herein that high antimonial lead of a sufficient thickness will support the weight of the electrolyte and anode material without buckling. Units constructedand operated and connected for electrolytic flow in accordance with my invention enable metalsto be deposited on the cathodes and be readily stripped therefrom in continuous sheet or web form during the rotation of the cathodes. Moreover, by depositing metal simultaneously on both sides of thecathode and stripping the deposited metal from the opposite sides of the rotating cathode, the rate of units are simple in construction and operation and are especially well suited to use scrap metal as the anode material, thereby saving in that item alone. The upper ends of the anode compartments are open so that scrap metal may be easily placed or-dumped into .the same at the start of the unit as well as during its operation.

located inside of the inner uprights 6, 6' and conected through. a suitable gear reduction .62 with the main shaft 13 for driving the same.

, The details 'of structure and the arrange-.

ment of parts shown and describedmay varoduction of each unit is increased. The,

" In Fig. 1, I have shown an electric motor 61= riously changed and modified without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. Those portions of the structure of the apparatus in the electrical connection with the anode are suitably insulated from those in the electrical connection with the cathode.

' In the actual machine which has been built,

particular attention has been paid to insulating these various parts. Sheet fiber, fiber to go through, fiber bushings through which bolts pass have all been used wherever there seemed to be any chance of grounding or shortcircuiting. The small scale on which the drawings of the ap plication have of necessity been prepared, has prevented the showing of every place of insulation, but it is of course to be understood that insulation is used wherever required in an apparatus of this character.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an electro-depositing apparatus, the combination with an endless cathode, of a trough containing an electrolyte for the cathode and following the contour thereof, said cathode being in band form and extending edgewise downward into the trough for the deposit of metal on the portion of the cathode in the trough, said trough having a gap between its ends to expose the portion of the cathode movable through the trough, so that the metal deposited on the cathode may be continuously stripped therefrom in the gap, and means for moving the cathode throu h the trough.

21 an electro-depositing apparatus, the combination with an endless cathode, of a trough containing an electrolyte for the cathode and following the contour thereof, said cathode being in band form and extending edgewise downward into the electrolyte in the trough for the deposit of metal simultaneously on the opposite sides of the cathode, said trough having a gap between its ends to expose the portion of the cathode movable through the trough so that the metal deposited on the cathode while in the trough may be continuously and simultaneously stripped from the opposite sides of the oathode in the gap, and means for moving the cathode through the trough.

3. In an electro-depositing apparatus, the combination with a support, of an annular member horizontally disposed and mounted on the support for rotation about a vertical axis, an annular cathode in band form suspended from and carried by said member, gear teeth on said member, and a driving gear meshing with said teeth for rotating said member.- a

4.\In an electro-depositing apparatus, the combination with an endless cathode, of a trough following the shape of the cathode and containing an electrolyte therefor, said cathode being in band form and extending downward edgewise into the electrolyte in said trough, said trough having a gap'b'etween its ends to permit of continuous stripping of the deposited metal from the cathode in the gap, and flexible baflles forming the ends of the trough and bearing against the cathode to retain the electrolyte in the trough.

5. In an electro-depositing apparatus, the combination with an endless cathode, of a trough following the shape of the cathode and containing an electrolyte therefor, said cathode being in band form and extending edgewise downward into the electrolyte in .said trough, saidtrough having a gap between its endsto'expose a portion of the cathode movable through the trough, flexible bafiles bearing against the opposite sides of the oathode where it enters and leaves the trough respectively; said baifles being at the ends of the trough to close the same, means including a plurality ofinlets and outlets distributed along the length of the trough and arranged to permitthe circulation of electrolyte through the trough and co-operating with the 'baflies to maintain the electrolyte at a desired level in the trough, and means for moving the cathode through the trough. i

6. In an electro-deposlting apparatus, the I mg in band form and disposed to extend edgewise downward into the electrolyte in said trough, said trough having a gap be-*/ tween its ends to expose a portion of the cathode so that the deposited metal may be stripped therefrom, flexible baflles at the ends of the trough and bearing against the opposite sides of the cathode to prevent undue leakage of the electrolyte at the ends of the trough, a gutter arranged in the gap of the trough and below the cathode to carry off the electrolyte leaking past' the baflles, and means for rotating said cathode. 7. In an electro-depositing apparatus, th combination with an annular cathode arranged for rotation about a vertical axis, of a trough for the cathode and containing an electrolyte therefor, said cathode bein in band form and extending edgewise own into the electrolyte in the trough, said trough having its ends spaced apart to expose a portion of the cathode, and anode plates in the trough on opposite sides of the cathode and following the contour thereof from end to end of the trough, said plates being spaced inward from the trough walls to accommodate scrap metal between them, said plates being perforated to allow the electrolyte to reach the scrap behind them, and means for rotating said cathode. a

8. In an electric-depositing apparatus, the combination with an annular cathode arranged for rotation about a vertical axis, of a trough following the shape of the cathode and containing an electrolyte therefor, said cathode being in band form and extending I edgewise downward into the-electrolyte in the trough, and'anode plates in the. trough on oppoflte sides of the cathode and spaced equi-distant at all points therefrom to allow for even deposition of metal on the cathode, said plates being spaced inward from the trough walls to accommodate metal scrap between the same said plates being per- -forated to allow the elctrolyte to reach the scrap behind the same, and means for rotating said cathode.

9. In aco'nnected electro-depositing sys-' tem, the combination with a plurality of electro-depositin units,' each havingJ a cathode in band orm and an electrolytic ath therefor, of a storage common to all the units, and conduit means connecting the. units and storage for the circulation of electrol e therethrough, saidrmeans including a p urality of inlets and outlets distributed along the 155th of each cathode to obtain a rapid ci ation of the electrolyte past the same inrelativelyshort paths.

10. In a connected electro-depositing systom, thecombination with a plurality of electro-depositing units, each having a cathode in band form and an electrolytic bath' short paths, certain of the units being supplied with anode metal so that the excess metal content supplied to the electrolyte by such units will be deposited out in the umt not su plied with anode metal. v

11. a connected electro-depositing system, the combination with a pl ty of electro-de sitmg' units, each having a cathode in en ess band form and a trough conof sai units containing anode material of storage means for the electrolyte and common all the units, and means including a plurahty of inlets and outlets distributed alo the length of each trough for connectmg e units and the storage in circulation; the inlets of each trough. bein arranged to discharge the electrolyte into t e upper portron of the trough, and the outlets of each trough. being arranged to allow for a rapid circulation of electroltye in each trou h and to maintain a desired level of electro in the troughs. I,

12. In a connected electro-depositing. system, the combination with a plurality of electro-de 'ting units, each having a cathode in en ess band form and a trough containing an electrolytefor the same, certain of the umts containing anode material, of

outletsfor the trough, and means for supp an electrolyte for the same, certain storage means for the electrolyte and common to all the units, and conduit means includingaa plurality of inlets and outlets distributed along the length of each trough for connecting the units and the storage in circulation; theoutlets for each trou h being arranged in two sets, one set at t e bottom of the trough, and the otherset adjacent to the upper end thereof so as to assist in maintaininga predetermined level in the trough.

13. In an electro-depositing apparatus, the combination with an endless cathode arranged for rotation about a vertical axis, f a trough followin the contour of the cathode and containing e ectrolyte therefor, said cathode being in band form and extending edgewise down into the electrolyte in the trough, perforated anode faces in the trough on opposite sides of the cathode and arranged to receive anode material behind the same, a

tending about the same for su plying electrolyte thereto, spouts connecterfw th said conduitand spaced apart lengthwise of the same for discharging electrolyte into the trough,

ing electrolyte to said conduit. y

14. In an electro-depositing apparatus, combination with an endless cathode arranged for rotation about a vertical axis of a trough following the contour of the cathode and containing an electrolyte therefor, said cathode being in band form and extending edgewise downward'in'to said trough, perforated anode faces in the trough on opposite sides of'the cathode and arranged to receive scrap anode material behindthe same,

7 a conduit extending about the trough above the same and having a'plurality of spouts arranged to discharge the electrolyte into the trough to the rear of one of the anode faces at a plurality of points spaced agart about the trough, outlets for the troug and means" for rotating. said cathode.

15. In an electro-depositing apparatus,the combination with an endless cathode arranged for rotation about a vertical axis, of a trough following the contour of the cathode and containin electrolyte therefor, said cathodebeing in and. form and extending edgewise downward into thetrough, a pipe extending about the trough above the same charging electrolyte into the trough at a multlplicity of spaced points in the length thereof, outlets for said trough, a storage for the electrolyte, and conduits connecting the storage with said pipe and outlets for the circulation of the electrolyte through the trough from said storage.

16. In an electro-depositing a paratus, the combination with an endless cat ode in band form and arranged for rotation about a verconduit disposed above the trough and exthe .and having a multiplicity of spouts for distical axis, of a trough following the contour 1 distributed along that there may be a continuous circulation of of the cathode and containing an electrolyte into which the cathode extends edgewise, said trough having a gap between its ends, a gutter in the gap below the cathode to collect the electrolyte leaking through the ends of the trough, a storage tank for the electrolyte, and conduit means connecting-both the gutter and the trough to the storage forcirculating electrolyte through the trough and returning electrolyte from the gutter. I

17. In an electro-depositing apparatus, the combination with an annular-like cathode arranged for rotation about a vertical axis, of a trough containing an electrolyte for the cathode and following the contour thereof, said cathode being in band form and extending edgewise downward into the trough for the deposit of metal on the portion of the cathode in the trough,.said trough having a length less than the full circumferential length of the cathode but greater than half of such length to provide a gap between the ends of the trough to-permit of continuous stripping of the deposited metal from the cathode in the gap, and means for moving the cathode through the trough. 18. In an electro-depo'siting apparatus, the combination with a trough containing anelectrolyte, of means' whereby the electrolyte may be continuously dischar 'ed into the trough at the upper end thereof, and a plurality of outlets in the trou h -for the electrolyte and e length of the trough so electrolyte therethrough, said outlets being at the bottom and the top of the trough, respectively, to provide relatively short paths for the electrolyte to flow therethrough, witl. the upper outlets positioned to maintain a desired level for the electrolyte in the trough. In testimony whereof I afiix my signature this 1st day of Jul 1926. I

' v 1AM W. MCCORD. 

